8-year-old boy survives fire that killed 6 family members

Chidinma, 8, is the only survivor of a fire accident that killed six members of his family.

The boy sustained serious burns in the accident and has been admitted at Gbagada General Hospital, Lagos, where he is reportedly battling for his life.

Chidinma was fortunate to survive the inferno that ravaged an apartment located at 21, Michael Ogun street, Obele Lawanson in Lagos on Tuesday night.

Owner of the apartment, Mr. Kelechi Ali, died in the accident, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said.

“It was a tragic situation,” NEMA spokesperson in Nigeria’s South-West, Ibrahim Farinloye, said.

“It involved father(Ali), mother, grandmother, a baby and a girl and two children were consumed by fire,” he said.

Ali’s wife, Nkiru;  Onoja, their baby boy  of about three weeks old; their son, Favour, of about three years old; and Onoja’s mother, who was on a visit to care for her nursing daughter were among those killed in the tragedy.

Two other children, aged  eight and ten years who were said to have visited for the summer holiday also lost their lives.

“A boy (Chidinma) of about six years old was rescued alive,” Farinloye said.

It was later confirmed the boy was eight years old.

Neighbours said they are raising money to fund Chidinma’s hospital bill which is expected to be on the high side.

The fire began around 11:00 p.m. and raged for at least 30 minutes before neighbours responded to the family’s call. It was too late.

Some alleged the neighbours deliberately refused to offer help on time because of a lingering disagreement they had with the family.

Lagos firefighters said they set out for the scene of the inferno immediately they got the distress call. But eyewitnesses said the brigade came an hour late, and too late.

By the time the fire was put out, early Wednesday, the bodies of six precious lives were already razed to death.

Only Chidinma made it out alive, and with life a threatening burns..